Recent EEOC Rulings

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is an important resource in the field of human resources. The EEOC is the branch of the federal government that oversees issues of discrimination, harassment and fair practices in employment across the board. It is vital for HR professionals to occasionally check in on current cases involving these issues to keep abreast of what is going on in the field. Here is an update on some of the most recent EEOC rulings.

National Tire and Battery

National Tire and Battery (NTB) out of Chicago has been found liable to the tune of $22,500 in a religious harassment suit. The suit alleges that the company harassed a Muslim mechanic of Arabic descent over his national origin and religion, using offensive epithets towards him in the workplace, and accusing him of bomb-making. Such acts are in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Potato Packing Suits EEOC Rulings

In Denver, two potato packing companies have been ordered to pay out $450,000 in damages and provide relief efforts after a sexual harassment and retaliation suit was brought against them. The companies, Smokin’ Spuds, Inc., and Farming Technology, Inc., under their shared d/b/a name of Mountain King Potatoes, was found guilty of over a dozen charges of verbal sexual harassment of female employees, as well as unlawfully discharging three employees in retaliation for making complaints. Both sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal under the Civil Rights Act.

PA Office of Open Records

An ongoing case in Harrisburg, PA, sees the EEOC charging that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Office of Public Records engaged in age discrimination due to their refusal to hire a candidate as an appeals officer due to his age. If the suit is found valid, the office will be in violation of the Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967, and could be subject to fines and other penalties.

Stanley Martin, LLC

Another ongoing suit involves Stanley Martin Companies, LLC, a well-known Mid-Atlantic homebuilding company. The suit alleges that the company engaged in sex discrimination when it first refused to promote a female worker and then after eventually giving her the job, paid her less than male co-workers in equivalent jobs. This would be another violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Coca-Cola

In yet another sex discrimination case, the EEOC has filed suit against Coca-Cola Bottling of Mobile, AB, alleging that the company refused to hire a female applicant for two warehouse positions due to her gender. Instead, the suit alleges, two men who were less qualified were hired in her stead. The EEOC is seeking relief in the form of back and current pay as well as compensatory and punitive damages against the company.

More information on these and other recent EEOC rulings can be found on the EEOC’s newsroom website. If you are looking for a business-driven HR service that helps you create a solid foundation for success, QuadWest Human Resources is here to help. Read a bit about the HR outsourcing services we provide and get in touch with us today for answers to any questions you might have.

Leadership Services

We Can Help?

Contact Us

Let us hear from you… You can reach us about Human Resource services, employee relations, policy development, employee handbooks, employee or leadership training, leadership coaching or with a question in any of the following ways … [Read More…]